A Creative Communication blog

Hayley Morgans is a student at Bloomsburg Area High School in Pennsylvania. As an 11th grader, Hayley was selected as a Top Ten Winner in our Fall 2012 contest for her poem, “March of Equals“.

“More than anything else, I am an adventurer, a storyteller, and a dreamer.” Hayley explains, “Eggnog makes me gag, and I feel my best when I am either wearing something I feel beautiful in or if I am covered in mud. Getting up at 5 a.m. in the summer excites me. I spend most of my existence singing, playing marimba, and acting. I also am a die-hard cross country runner. I spend more time than most high school students analyzing my state of being, which is the root of a lot of my writing. I do a lot of various volunteering, usually involving the performing arts or local charities. Every Friday in the fall, I take the role of my alter-ego, Petey the Bloomsburg Panther (the high school mascot).”

“March of Equals” was inspired at a marching band competition. There, a surprise fireworks show was held while all members of every band present was together on a football field. “Though as a unit, musicians present were complete strangers, we all bonded in a kind of best-buds-for-the-time-being way. Being there under the same sky for the same moment because of a common passion gave us an equal and joyous existence and provided hope that the rest of the world could perhaps experience the same love and unity.”

“As for my future, I take life a day at a time and seize opportunities as they come. Life is a gift that I use to the best of my ability. As for the present and near future, I am the current co-director, co-writer, and director of music for the upcoming musical, Tafton and The Deep. I am directing alongside my greatest supporter and business partner, Paige Lynne Morgans, my twin sister. This has been my greatest endeavor to date, and I am anticipating it with absolute delight and gratitude. The show is at the Caldwell Consistory in my hometown, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania over Labor Day weekend. There will soon be a Facebook page for Tafton and The Deep for more information.” At some point in life, Hayley would like to participate in a flash mob, crowd surfing, and being a chimney sweep in a stage production of Mary Poppins.

Noelle is a 9th grader at Westlake High School in New York. Her poem, “Jack Frost“, was selected as a Top Ten Winner in the Fall 2012 national poetry contest held for students in grades K-12 living in the United States and Canada.

“I’m a fairly simple girl who has a love for surprises and changes.” Noelle explains, “I’m blessed to have an amazingly supportive family, along with the inspiration to write. Music is my passion, sometimes even before writing. At points I’m slightly shy, yet I still love to meet new people and gain new friends. To crunch it all down in a few words, I’m spontaneous, instinctive, and excitable.”

“Jack Frost” was inspired by the natural beauty of winter. Noelle was sitting in her living room and looked out of the window. She said to herself, “Wow, look at the snow on the tree,” and from that she created her winning poem.

Noelle’s is not certain on her future plans. She is torn between a career in music, writing, and science. For now, she’ll keep working to improve on all of her talents.